From Olukayode Idowu, Maiduguri
SUNRISE NEWS, Borno, Aug 14, 2020 The National Emergency Management Agency has called for collaboration on arresting perennial flooding at internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Borno State.
Speaking at the Flood Preparedness Mitigation and Response Sensitization Exercise at Bakasi IDP camp in Maiduguri, the Acting Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Northeast, Ishaya Chonoko lamented that always all IDP camps are flooded in Borno State.
He decried that this has been a yearly occurrence which needs the collaboration of all stakeholders to bring to an end.
He said that Borno State Government and the management of NEMA need to sit together and brainstorm on how to put an end to the perennial flooding.
Chinoko lamented that NEMA has annually been made to send a lot in relief during flooding at IDP camps in Borno State, noting that the spending could if a permanent solution is found to the flooding.
He said the Director General of NEMA AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (Rtd) has that the sensitization should be conducted in order to mitigate against flooding and curb the diseases associated with it.
He said: “From what we have seen, there is a need to make more mosquito nets available to the IDPs, everyone need to sleep under the net to prevent malaria.
“I am going to make requisition for mosquito nets and other household materials so that no one will come down with malaria and other diseases.
The sensitization exercise continues to other IDP camps and host communities in Maiduguri, it is aimed at activating readiness for flooding by educating the general public on effects of floods and how to respond to flood disaster.
Other stakeholders present at the sensitization exercise include officials of Borno state Emergency Management Agency, BOSEMA, Ministry of Environment, Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA), Zulumgogreen NGO and Nigerian Red Cross Society.